Diffusion transfer printing plate processor

ABSTRACT

A developing and processing machine used for processing diffusion transfer printing plates and the like comprising a casing in which is located a transport means which at least partially defines a path of travel for the positive plate wherein this path is specifically defined and configured to be substantially planar thereby preventing the bending or curving of the positive plate. A second path of travel is also defined within the casing through a tank portion designed to hold developer fluid within said casing. The transport means include a set of infeed rolls located at the entrance to the casing, an applicator means including two applicator roll assemblies at least one of which is arranged in intercommunicating relation between the tank portion and the positive plate, and exit rolls which may be disposed in cooperative relation with a wash means. A separating means in the form of a pivotally mounted deflector plate may also be mounted adjacent the infeed roll so as to separate the positive and negative members as they are channeled along their individual paths of travel. One or more of the applicator rolls may also be movably mounted in a direction substantially transverse to the path of travel of the positive member so as to allow said movable roll to be floatingly mounted thereon as the positive member passes through the casing.

United States Patent 1 Slingsby et al.

[4s] Dec. 4, 1973 51 Int. Cl.

[54] DIFFUSION TRANSFER PRINTING PLATE PROCESSOR [75] Inventors: ThomasW. Slingsby, Old Saybrook, Conn.; Hugh C. Neville, Barrington; Karl A.Heise, Warwick, both of R1.

[73] Assignee: Richmond Graphic Systems, Inc.

[22] Filed: June 22, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 265,146

[52] US. Cl 95/89 A, 95/14, 95/93 G03d 3/00 [58] Field of Search 95/89R, 94 R, 89 A,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1965 Gordon 95/89LX 8/1967Kleinstra....

Primary Examiner--Richard L. Moses Attorney-Stein & Orman [5 7] ABSTRACTA developing and processing machine used for processing diffusiontransfer printing plates and the like comprising a casing in which islocated a transport means which at least partially defines a path oftravel for the positive plate wherein this path is specifically definedand configured to be substantially planar thereby preventing the bendingor curving of the positive plate. A second path of travel is alsodefined within the casing through a tank portion designed to holddeveloper fluid within said casing. The transport means include a set ofinfeed rolls located at the entrance to the casing, an applicator meansincluding two applicator roll assemblies at least one of which isarranged in intercommunicating relation between the tank portion and thepositive plate, and exit rolls which may be disposed in cooperativerelation with a wash means. A separating means in the form of apivotally mounted deflector plate may also be mounted adjacent theinfeed roll so as to separate the positive and negative members as theyare channeled along their individual paths of travel. One or more of theapplicator rolls may also be movably mounted in a directionsubstantially transverse to the path of travel of the positive member soas to allow said movable roll to be floatingly mounted thereon as thepositive member passes through the casing.

15 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures DIFFUSION TRANSFER PRINTING PLATEPROCESSOR" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates to a diffusion transfer processing and developingmachine of the type used toprocess a positive plate and a photographicnegative arranged in predetermined orientation to one anotheras.they.si-. multaneously pass through themachine. Transport means whichmay comprise a plurality of rolls are specifically configured to definea substantiallyplanar path of travelfor the positive member therebyallowing it to have a dimensionally greater. thicknesswhich serves toincrease its durability and operable life.

2. Description of the Prior Art Processing machines of the diffusiontransfer type have been known in the prior artand havebeenusedcommercially for many years. The vast majority of these prior artmachines were designed to process short; run, light duty plates havinga;re,latively.small dimena sional thickness. Basically these priorartmachine comprise a configuration wherein'botha positive and negativeplate are channeled through curved or non-planar feed paths in order toexpose both of :the plates to a developer fluid for a predeterminedperiod'of time.

Generally, the curved path type of diffusiontransfer processing machineshas beenpopularized apparentlyv because this configuration represents alowcost means of accomplishing the proper transport; ofithe diffusiontransfer material through developing fluid which ensures the fact thatboth positive and negative sheets or. plates are properly exposed to.the developing fluid. Further support for the use of i this typeofprocessin'g machine is found in the fact that one of .the most commercially popular processing machine inthe-prior art was simultaneouslydeveloped with the diffusion transfer process. This machine is of thetype shown .in .U. S. Pat. No. 2,657,618 to Eisben.

The structure disclosed in the Eisben.-patent is di-. rected to amachine capable of simultaneouslyprocessing both a positive and anegative sheetbysubmerging the sheets in a developer fluid as they are.channeled through separate paths in the machine and eventually through asqueege roll arrangement where the positive and negative sheets'arebrought intoforced registrat tion. More specifically the Eisben machineincludesa casing which has a liquid proof lowerportion in .which thedeveloper fluidismaintained. The casing'further includes fourapproximately parallel guiding plates each having a substantiallyarcuate or curved cross sectional configurations. These plates-aredisposed :within I the casing to pass through the develop fluidmaintained in .the casing and also each of the plates contain aplurality of holes which allowed the developerfluid to fill at :least aportion of each of the channels'defined by the plates. The positive andnegative members are directed through separate channels and i followtheir arcuate configuration as they pass through the, developerliquidand are exposed thereto.

During the early days of use of thediffusion transfer process, cost ofprocessing was a prime consideration and the sophistication andapplication :of the products and the process itself did not demand amore functionally exotic system.

However, as the difiusion transfer process and itsapplications becamemore. popular it became apparent that the design of prior'art processinganddeveloping machines would not fulfill the needs or requirements ofthe modern day photo copying industry. More particularly, the advantagesof using a relatively stiff aluminum off-set printing plate which arepresently available in thicknesses up to approximately 12 mils are greatbecause of its long operable life and durability. However, it is evidentthat the processing of such a plate through prior art machines isimpossible because of its thickness dimensions and resulting relativerigidity.

When processing a plate of this thickness bending, such as would occurwhen passing it through the arcuate path of travel of prior artprocessing machines, would render such plate useless. This is primarilydue to the fact that such an aluminum plate has no memory and afterbending could not be applied to a print drum. While some slightcurvature or angular variation from a completely flat or planar path oftravel is allowed such amount of bending or curvature must bedirectlyrelated to the curvature of the drum on which it is applied.

Furthermore, in the use of offset printing plates positiveemulsionmaterial with which these plates are coated is extremely scratch proneand nay such scratch or imperfection appearing on the emulsion materialshows up on most copy and especially half tones. It is readily seen thatany bending of the positive plate could cause imperfection in theemulsion surface which would impair the quality of, or even ruin, thecopy produced therefrom.

Accordingly, it is readily seen that there is a need in the photo.copying industry for a'diffusion transfer processing and developingmachine capable of eliminating the above noted problems by being capableof processing plates having dimensional thickness as great asapproximately 12 mils. This of course would require that the positiveplate pass through the machine along a substantially planar or levelpath of travelwhile at the same time providing for sufficient contactbetween the positive emulsion material on the plate and the developer.fluid and ultimately be forced into registered contact with the negativemember.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a processing machineof the type designed to develop and process diffusion transfer printingplates and other scratch prone diflusion transfer materials. The machineincludes aicasing having a 'plate transport means mounted therein so asto at least partially define a path of travel of at least one of thepositive and negative member which the machine is simultaneouslyprocessing. 1

A tank means designed and configured to have a developer fluidmaintained therein is located in the lower The applicator meanscomprises upper and lower applicator roll assemblies arranged incooperative relation to one another so as to partially define, alongwith the infeed means and the exit means, a flat or substantially planarpath of travel for the positive member as it passes through the machine.Each of the upper and lower assemblies comprises a plurality of assemblyrolls. Each roll in each of the assemblies is positioned relative to thecorrespondingly positioned roll in the other assembly so as to partiallydefine the first path of travel of the positive member to have a planarconfiguration between the roll assemblies. In addition, one or more ofthe applicator rolls in the upper assembly may be movably mounted so asto move in a substantially transverse direction to the first path oftravel of the positive member. This allows any such applicator rolls somovably mounted to substantially float on the plate member as it passesbetween the upper and lower applicator assemblies. This insures thatproper pressure is maintained on the plate so as to bear it against therolls of the lower assembly while not distorting the design of planarconfiguration of the plate member to any harmful extent. Altemately,each of these applicator rolls on the upper assembly may be mounted on acarriage means which itself is movably mounted so as to move in asubstantially transverse direction relative to the path of travel of thepositive plate member. In this embodiment, the entire carriage and allof the rolls attached thereto serves to substantially float on thepositive plate member as it passes between the applicator assemblies.

The applicator rolls of the lower assembly are, of course, rotatablyconnected to the casing and are specifically disposed inintercommunicating relation between the tank, and in direct contact withany developer fluid maintained therein, and the undersurface of thepositive plate member as it passes through or along the first path oftravel. By virtue of this disposition, the developer fluid may betransferred by virtue of it being carried on the outer peripheralsurface of the applicator rolls on the lower assembly, to theundersurface of emulsion side of the plate member. As this developerfluid is carried by these rolls, a meniscus is formed contiguous to thearea of contact between the applicator rolls and the lower surface oremulsion on the positive member. This particular arrangement serves toadequately apply a predetermined amount of fluid to the emulsion coatingon the positive member and the extent or length of time this emulsion.is in contact with the fluid depends upon the rate of travel of thetransport means. Applicators conceivably could operate at speeddifferent from feed rolls.

The exit means comprises at least two exit rolls arranged in opposedrelation to one another. These rolls are ideally formed to have a hardcore surrounded by a relatively elastic or pliable material. Thisformation of the exit rolls and their relation to one another allowsthem to serve as squeege pressure rolls and force the positive andnegative members into direct registered engagement with one anotherwhile at the same time removing any excess fluid as it exits from thecasing. These exit rolls could have their peripheral portion formed ofmaterial other than elastic or pliable material and still come withinthe intended scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention,'a wash fixing means may bemounted in direct cooperative retion has been disclosed utilizing aplurality of rolls in each of the infeed means, applicator means, andexit means. It is, of course, obvious that any applicable structurecapable of performing the functions de scribed above could besubstituted for a roll or roll structures per se and still come withinthe intended scope of the present invention.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes the mounting ofa separator means in cooperative relation to the exit means within thecasing. This separator means may be in the form of a pivotally mounteddeflector plate capable of being selectively moved between a separatingand non-separating position. More specifically, as the positive andnegative members enter the entrance to the casing, the lead edge of thepositive member is staggered a predetermined distance behind the leadedge of the negative member. This staggering entrance is provided toaccommodate the longer path of travel of the negative member as it isdirected in a somewhat arcuate path directly through the tank portion ofthe casing and in direct exposure to the developer fluid. Accordingly,as the lead edge of the negative plate enters the exit means andpasses'beyond the nip of the exit rolls, the

I deflector plate is in its non-separating position. Upon a sufficientamount of the leading portion of the negative member being advanced intothe casing, the negative plate is pivoted to its separating positionwherein it engages the leading portion of the negative member and forcesit downward into a specifically configured channel which defines thesecond path of travel reserved for the negative member. Since thepositive member is staggered a predetermined distance from the leadingedge of the negative member, the pivotal movement of the deflector platedoes not interfere with the movement of the positive member as it passesalong BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding ofthe nature and the objects of the invention, reference should be had tothev following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the interior of the casing and thevarious structural elements of the transport means.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the presentinvention taken through the casing and showing its interior and thevarious structural features of a transport means.

FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view showing yet another embodiment ofthe present invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIGS. 1 and2, the processing machine is generally indicated as and comprises acasing 12 which is primarly designed to house the'workings of themachine. More particularly, a transport means for transporting both thepositive and negative members 14 and 16 respectively, isshown in theform of three groups of transport rolls.

More specifically, the transport means includes an infeed meansgenerally indicated as 18, applicator means generally indicated as'20,and exit means gener ally indicated as 22. .The specific structuraldetails of the transport means will be discussed hereinafter.

The casing 12 further comprises a tank means 24 which may be mountedwithin the lower portion of casing 12 by a bracket or like connector 26.The tank 24 is specifically configured to hold a developer liquid 28such that the tank 24 may be filled a sufiicient degree to enclose amajor portion of path defining members 30 and 31. These members areconfigured to define a channel or space 32 which serves as a path oftravel for the negative member 16 which will also be described ingreater detail hereinafter.

Turning now to the detail of the transport means, the infeed means 18comprises at least two rolls, 34 and 36, arranged in opposed,cooperative relation to one another adjacent the entrance 38 of thecasing. A support table or flange 40 may also be positioned adjacentthis entrance 38 to facilitate loading of the positive and negativemembers into the casing. A divider plate 42 may also be positionedadjacent entrance 38 and in cooperative relation with the nip of rolls34 and 36m insure proper registration of the positive andnegativemembers 14 and 16. It is important to note'that the structural elementsof the transport means are essentially arranged in a spaced relation toone another. This configuration specifically defines a substantiallyplanar first path of travel along which positive member 14 is intendedto travel. This is specifically shown in FIG.'1. Accordingly, the rolls34 and 36 at least partially define a portion of this first path oftravel of the positivememher.

The applicator means comprises an upper applicator roll assemblygenerally indicated as 44 and a lower applicator roll assembly generallyindicated as 46. While the embodiments of the subject invention aredescribed with relation to upper and lower'roll assemblies, it isapparent that the scope of the present invention is intended to includeany opposed roll assemblies whether or not they are specifically locatedone above the other as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. 1 and 2 furtherpoint out that, depending upon the particular embodiment utilized, therolls of the upper assembly may be arranged in directly opposed relationto one another (FIG. 2) or alternately may be arranged in a somewhatoffset, opposed relation to one another (FIG. 1). Regardless of theparticular configuration of the applicator means utilized, the upperassembly includes a plurality of rolls 48, each rotatably mounted abouta substantially centrally located axle 50 and having substantially thesame diameter so as to at least partially define a planar first path oftravel for the positive member 14. An additional structural featurefound in the upper applicator roll assembly is the fact that at leastone of the rolls may be mounted to move in a substantially normaldirection to the first planar path of travel of positive member 14.Altemately, each of the rolls 48 may be mounted on carriage means 52 andthe carriage means itself may be movably mounted so as to move in asubstantially transverse direction to the planar first path of travel ofpositive member 14. If this occurs, all of the rolls 48 thereby areallowed to substantially float over the positive member 14. This allowsa certain extent of variation in the path of member 14. This variationis a function of the thickness of the positive member and the weight ofthe floating roll assembly. For example, a four mil plate would flex tothe limit of the normal travel of the roll or rolls while a 12 millthickness plate would ride substantially straight, or on a planarpaththerethrough without bending unless the upper roll assembly wasunusually heavy. The amount of variation of float of the upper rollassembly or altemately any such movably mounted roll is indicated bydirectional arrows 56. In order to accomplish this float, each of theaxles 50 are mounted in elongated slots or housings 58. i

t The lower roll assembly 46 also comprises a plurality of applicatorrolls 60 arranged in spaced relation to one another and each beingmounted on acentral axle 62. Preferably, each of the rolls 60 arerotatably mounted in fixed relation to one another and to the planarfirst path of travel of positive member 14. The relationship of theupper and lower roll assemblies, as shown in FIG. 1, allows this firstpath of travel to be defined between these roll assemblies such that thepositive member 14 passing along this planar first path is in contactwith both the rolls 48 and 60 of each roll assembly. The rolls 60 arefurther disposed so as to be partially submerged in the developer fluid28 within tank 24.. Accordingly, upon rotation of theroll 60 the fluidis transferred from tank 24 up to the undersurface or emulsion coatingon positive member 14. As the member-141 passes along the planar firstpath and engages each of the rolls 60, a meniscus 61 which adequatelycoats this undersurface, is formed at the point of contact of each roll60 and member 14. The amount of time the emulsion coating on platemember 14 is subjected to the fluid 28 depends on the rate of travel ofthe tr sport means and may be predetermined as desired. Because of thespecific arrangement of each of the groups of rolls 18, l

20 and 22, all of these groups are engaging the same plate member at thesame time.

The exit means 22 may comprise at least two rollers and 72 arranged incooperative, oppo ed, engaging relation to one another. Each of theserollers mounted on a central hub or axle 74 and 76 respectively and thecentral core 78 and 80 respectively is formed'from a hard material. Theportion of each roll 8 and 84 surrounding the core is made from aelastic o flexible material so as to give rolls 70 and 72 the capabilityof providing a squeege action as both the positive and negative memberpass therebetween. Alternately, the portions 82 and 84 may be formedfrom a relatively hard material and serve to register the positive andnegative members together under pressure. Rega dless of the specificconfiguration, these rolls are disnosed relative to one another to forcethe positive and negative members into pre-oriented registration suchthat the emulsion coating of each member are forced into direct contactwith one another.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2 andcomprises a wash means generally indicated as 86 including housing 88designed to hold a wash or fixing liquid 90 and being fed from an inlet92. Roll 72 is so disposed relative to the wash liquid 90 and the roll70 as to transfer the liquid 90 up the nip or point of contact betweenthe roll 70 and 72 and the positive and negative members as they passtherebetween. The wash liquid 90 will be maintained substantially cleansince it will be substantially continuous flowing into inlet 92 andexiting from outlet 94. Again, the exit means 22 is arranged relative toapplicator means so as to at least partially define the planar firstpath of travel of the positive member 14.

Turning to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the present invention comprisesa separating means generally indicated as 100. This separatingmeansincludes a deflector plate 102 pivotally mounted at 104 to a pointof the casing adjacent to the casing entrance 38 and more particularlythe infeed means 18. Since the path of travel of the negative member isdefined through the developer liquid 28 by members 30 and 31, it can beseen that this second path of travel of the negative member is greaterthan the planar first path of travel of the positive member. Accordinglythe leading edge 106 of negative member 16 is placed into the end feedmeans 18 somewhat ahead of the leading edge 108 and of the positivemember 14. As both positive and negative members 14 and 16 respectivelycome under the control of rolls 34 and 36 and pass into the casing, theseparator means 100 is activated to separate the plates from one anotherand more particularly direct negative member 16 downwardly into thesecond defined path of travel through space 32. This is accomplished byselective manipulation of deflector plate 102 from a nonseparating to aseparating position indicated by broken lines 110 and solid lines 110'respectively. This pivotal movement of plate 102 occurs when the leadingedge 106 has reached the approximate point indicated by 106' in brokenlines while the leading edge 108' has reached its corresponding positionas indicated in broken lines. The specific dimension and location ofdeflector plate 102 and the relative positions of the leading edges 106and 108 of the negative and positive members respectively allow thedeflector plate 102 to engage the end of the negative member while notengaging at all the positive member. Accordingly, the positive membercontines on in a straight through or substantially planar path throughthe applicator means 20 and out the exit means 22. As is apparent thesheets again come into direct registration after both being exposed tothe developer fluid 28 by the action of exit rolls 70 and 72.

It will thus be seen that the objects made apparent from the precedingdescription, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may bemade in the above article without departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying draw ings shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described,

What is claimed is:

l. A processing machine of the difusion transfer type, designed toprocess both a positive and a negative member, said machine comprising;a casing, transport means mounted within said casing, a tank portionformed in said casing and configured to hold a devel-. oper fluid, saidtransport means comprising a plurality of transport elements at leastsome of which are arranged in aligned, successively spaced relation toone another so as to define a substantially planar first path of travelthrough said casing, guide means mounted within said casing and defininga second path of travel, said guide means at least partially disposed incommunicating relation to said tank, whereby said first and second pathsof travel are in communicating relation to the developer fluid.

2. A processing machine as in claim 1 wherein said transport meanscomprises applicator means, said applicator means mounted within saidcasing to at least partially define said planar first path, saidapplicator means further disposed in intercommunicating relation betweenthe positive member passing through said machine and said tank portion,whereby developer fluid within said tank is delivered to the positivemember by said applicator means.

3. A processing machine as in claim 1 wherein said transport meanscomprises applicator means including cooperatively arranged applicatorroll assemblies, said roll assemblies disposed relative to one anotherto at least partially define said planar first path.

4. A processing machine as in claim 3 wherein said applicator rollassemblies include' an upper plurality of applicator rolls and a lowerplurality of applicator rolls arranged in cooperating, substantiallyopposed relation to one another so as to at least partially define saidsubstantially planar first path therebetween.

5. A processing machine as in claim 3 wherrein said applicator rollassemblies include an upper plurality of rolls and a lower plurality ofapplicator rolls, at least one of said upper plurality of rolls beingmounted on said casing so as to be movable in a direction substantiallynormal to the planar first path of travel of the pos itive member,whereby passage of the positive member therethrough causes said one rollto float thereon.

6. A processing machine as in claim 3 wherein said applicator roll meansincludes an upper plurality of rolls and a lower plurality of rolls,said upper plurality of rolls secured to carriage means, said carriagemeans connected to said casing so as to be movable in a directionsubstantially normal to said planar first path of travel, wherebypassage of the positive member therethrough causes at least some of saidplurality of rolls to float thereon.

7. A processing machine as in claim 3 wherein said applicator rollassemblies include an upper plurality of applicator rolls and a lowerplurality of applicator rolls,

said lower plurality of rolls arranged in intercommunicating relationbetween the positive member passing through said machine and said tankportion, whereby developer fluid within said tank is delivered to thepositive member by said applicator means.

I 8. A processing machine as in claim 7 wherein said lower plurality ofrolls are disposed in partially submerged relation to developer fluidwithin said tank and disposed to movably engage said positive member,the relative position between said lower rolls, developer fluid in saidtank and said positive member serves to define a meniscus of fluidcontiguous to each roll in contact with both the fluid and said postivemember.

9. A processing machine as in claim 3 wherein said transport meansfurther includes in feed means and exit means disposed in said casing inaligned successive relation to said applicator means so as to at leastpartially define said substantially planar first path.

10. A processing machine as in claim 9 wherein said infeed meanscomprises at least two infeed rolls arranged in cooperative, opposedrelation to one another and positioned adjacent to the casing entranceutilized for at least one of said positive or negative members.

11. A processing machine as in claim 9 wherein said exit means comprisesat least two exit rolls arranged in substantially opposed, cooperatingrelation to one another, said two exit rolls positioned relative to oneanother and said first and second paths as to force the positive andnegative members into direct engagement with one another between saidtwo exit rolls.

12. A processing machine as in claim 1 wherein the outer surface of eachof said two exit rolls is formed from a pliable material, whereby saidtwo exit rolls serve as squeege rolls to remove any excess fluid fromsaid members.

13. A processing machine as in claim 12 further comprising wash meansmounted on said casing adjacent said exit means, said wash meansconfigured to contain wash liquid, said exit means arranged inintercommunicating relation between said wash means and at least one ofsaid first or second paths of travel, whereby wash liquid is transferredfrom said wash means to at least one of said members.

14. A processing machine as in claim 1 further comprising separatormeans positioned adjacent the casing entrance, said separator meansmovably mounted on said casing so as to be movable into a memberseparating position.

15. A processing machine as in claim 14 wherein said separator meanscomprises a deflector plate pivotally mounted within said casingadjacent the casing entrance, said deflector plate selectively movablebetween a member separating and non-separating position, said platefurther disposed within said casing so as to engage a predeterminedportion of one of said members independent of engagement with the otherof said members.

1. A processing machine of the difusion transfer type, designed toprocess both a positive and a negative member, said machine comprising;a casing, transport means mounted within said casing, a tank portionformed in said casing and configured to hold a developer fluid, saidtransport means comprising a plurality of transport elements at leastsome of which are arranged in aligned, successively spaced relation toone another so as to define a substantially planar first path of travelthrough said casing, guide means mounted within said casing and defininga second path of travel, said guide means at least partially disposed incommunicating relation to said tank, whereby said first and second pathsof travel are in communicating relation to the developer fluid.
 2. Aprocessing machine as in claim 1 wherein said transport means comprisesapplicator means, said applicator means mounted within said casing to atleast partially define said planar first path, said applicator meansfurther disposed in intercommunicating relation between the positivemember passing through said machine and said tank portion, wherebydeveloper fluid within said tank is delivered to the positive member bysaid applicator means.
 3. A processing machine as in claim 1 whereinsaid transport means comprises applicator means including cooperativelyarranged applicator roll assemblies, said roll assemblies disposedrelative to one another to at least partially define said planar firstpath.
 4. A processing machine as in claim 3 wherein said applicator rollassemblies include an upper plurality of applicator rolls and a lowerplurality of applicator rolls arranged In cooperating, substantiallyopposed relation to one another so as to at least partially define saidsubstantially planar first path therebetween.
 5. A processing machine asin claim 3 wherrein said applicator roll assemblies include an upperplurality of rolls and a lower plurality of applicator rolls, at leastone of said upper plurality of rolls being mounted on said casing so asto be movable in a direction substantially normal to the planar firstpath of travel of the positive member, whereby passage of the positivemember therethrough causes said one roll to float thereon.
 6. Aprocessing machine as in claim 3 wherein said applicator roll meansincludes an upper plurality of rolls and a lower plurality of rolls,said upper plurality of rolls secured to carriage means, said carriagemeans connected to said casing so as to be movable in a directionsubstantially normal to said planar first path of travel, wherebypassage of the positive member therethrough causes at least some of saidplurality of rolls to float thereon.
 7. A processing machine as in claim3 wherein said applicator roll assemblies include an upper plurality ofapplicator rolls and a lower plurality of applicator rolls, said lowerplurality of rolls arranged in intercommunicating relation between thepositive member passing through said machine and said tank portion,whereby developer fluid within said tank is delivered to the positivemember by said applicator means.
 8. A processing machine as in claim 7wherein said lower plurality of rolls are disposed in partiallysubmerged relation to developer fluid within said tank and disposed tomovably engage said positive member, the relative position between saidlower rolls, developer fluid in said tank and said positive memberserves to define a meniscus of fluid contiguous to each roll in contactwith both the fluid and said postive member.
 9. A processing machine asin claim 3 wherein said transport means further includes in feed meansand exit means disposed in said casing in aligned successive relation tosaid applicator means so as to at least partially define saidsubstantially planar first path.
 10. A processing machine as in claim 9wherein said infeed means comprises at least two infeed rolls arrangedin cooperative, opposed relation to one another and positioned adjacentto the casing entrance utilized for at least one of said positive ornegative members.
 11. A processing machine as in claim 9 wherein saidexit means comprises at least two exit rolls arranged in substantiallyopposed, cooperating relation to one another, said two exit rollspositioned relative to one another and said first and second paths as toforce the positive and negative members into direct engagement with oneanother between said two exit rolls.
 12. A processing machine as inclaim 1 wherein the outer surface of each of said two exit rolls isformed from a pliable material, whereby said two exit rolls serve assqueege rolls to remove any excess fluid from said members.
 13. Aprocessing machine as in claim 12 further comprising wash means mountedon said casing adjacent said exit means, said wash means configured tocontain wash liquid, said exit means arranged in intercommunicatingrelation between said wash means and at least one of said first orsecond paths of travel, whereby wash liquid is transferred from saidwash means to at least one of said members.
 14. A processing machine asin claim 1 further comprising separator means positioned adjacent thecasing entrance, said separator means movably mounted on said casing soas to be movable into a member separating position.
 15. A processingmachine as in claim 14 wherein said separator means comprises adeflector plate pivotally mounted within said casing adjacent the casingentrance, said deflector plate selectively movable between a memberseparating and non-separating position, said plate further disposedwithin said casing so as to engage a predetermined portion of one ofsaid members indepeNdent of engagement with the other of said members.